Florida produces hidden gem at WR

In a football factory like Florida, new names seem to pop up on the recruiting radar on a regular basis.

One such player who’s starting to command a lot of attention is Lehigh Acres’ Marcel Pestano. A 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver/defensive back with 4.5 speed, he’s received official offers from Clemson and Syracuse, while Auburn, Iowa State, North Carolina and Michigan State have indicated verbally that they will offer.

Florida State, Duke and Georgia Tech are also showing interest in Pestano, who caught 26 passes for 743 yards (28.6 avg.) and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

“I don’t really have a favorite right now,” he said. “I’ve never really followed one school in particular, so I’m pretty open to all of them. I always keep up with Florida State and Miami, though, being from here. I got to talk to one of Florida State’s coaches, Kirby Smart, at a camp. He said he really liked me, and that he was going to let the other coaches know about me. I’m hoping to hear something from them.”

He attended camp at South Florida this summer. He also participated in the Bishop-Dullaghan event.

“I did real well,” he said. “I think I got some people’s attention. I ran 4.5 in the 40, and coaches said they like my size at receiver. I’m bigger and stronger than most DBs, and I’ve got real good hands for a big receiver.”

Asked about the keys to his recruitment, Pestano said: “First is academics. I want to go where they have the best program to help me with my major (sports medicine). Second, and this may sound kind of funny, but I want to go somewhere where they have a huge stadium. I want to play in front of big crowds every week. I would love that. And then I guess I’d just be looking to see how I fit in with the coaches and other players.”

Pestano is also a strong student. He maintains a 3.0 core GPA and has scored a 22 on the ACT.